7 Tips For Recent College Grads Working With Recruiters

After graduating college or right before getting their diploma, many entry-level job seekers encounter the recruiting world for the first time.

One of the main reasons for the lack of contact with recruiters during college is that many career centers are not too keen on headhunters, primarily due to the fact that some recruitment professionals act in a manner that is perceived not to be in the best interest of the student or graduate.

Therefore, many entry-level job seekers have little to no idea about the staffing industry until they are initially contacted by a recruitment agency.

When I graduated college, I was recruited by a professional recruiter in Minneapolis whom I knew little to nothing about, for a job that I hated at company that was antiquated and not progressive in their thinking. Luckily, this worked out for me.

Regardless, the below advice should help recent college graduates effectively deal with recruiters.

1. Only engage with recruiters who have jobs that pay a base salary.

Do not be drawn in to a "sky is the limit" sales pitch. Occasionally you might reach the sky, but more often you'll get stuck a few rungs up the ladder, with not base salary to help pay the bills, despite working diligently 45+ hours a week.

2. Only engage with recruiters who do not charge the job applicants, nor actively push resume services or other job seeking consulting services before the headhunters consider you for a job.

3. Only engage with recruiters who will tell you the name of the company that they are working with prior to your interviewing with that firm.

However, as a job seeker you should be responsible and confidential about the companies that are hiring, as not doing so is highly unethical and is a form of corporate theft.

4. Upon approaching a recruiter or any particular executive search firm, do enough research on the staffing agency prior to initial contact and make sure that the firm deals with jobs that you may like.

5. If a recruiter sends you to meet with a client, remember that upon interviewing with that firm, you are not only representing yourself, but also the recruiter who sent you on that particular interview.

6. Have realistic expectations, as nobody will find a perfect job for you without you doing the necessary legwork. Recruiters can only do so much; you have to help the recruiters help you.

7. Only work with recruiters whom you feel comfortable with. As a recent college graduate, remember that you've worked hard for your degree. If you don't feel comfortable with the direction a recruiter is taking you, either voice your opinion and see if the individual changes, or change recruiters.

In the end, working with recruiters is not rocket science. Do make sure you have enough information and, upon gathering this information, make a decision whether or not you would like to approach head hunters at this point in time.

There are more ethical, hard-working recruiters than the bunch that you often hear about and, working with recruiting firms, if done properly is a good way to diversify your job search.

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